Wednesday 7th
Despite the forecasts it was warmer last night but we could feel it cooling during the day as rain approached. Hopes that a switch in wind direction (to east) might bring in some new birds were thwarted and it was very quiet. Twenty eight birds were ringed, the best of these was a Lesser Whitethroat. There were 12 Chiffchaffs, eleven Blackcaps and a Song Thrush.
Tuesday 6th
Possibly the last morning with warmth and there was a misty start. This was burnt off by the warm sun. A few more of the team available today but it was actually a bit quieter. I expected a busier day with birds heading south ahead of the approaching change to the weather. Eighty six birds were ringed but there was more variety with a Sparrowhawk the pick of the bunch. There were 47 Chiffchaffs and 26 Blackcaps, two each of Blackbird and Long-tailed Tit, plus four Blue Tits and singles of Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, House Sparrow and Wren.
Monday 5th
The settled spell continues, but not for long if forecasts are correct. Only two of us available this morning and 93 birds were ringed, most appearing in the second round. There were 58 Chiffchaffs and 32 Blackcaps. New thrushes are starting to appear, although we could hear Song Thrushes we caught two new Blackbirds. A Robin was the other new bird. We have not seen hirundines around the ringing area for a few days and a late try for Swallows was to no avail.
Sunday 4th
Calm and clear again. The migrants are making the most of this and 135 were ringed this morning. The fact that they are moving quickly on was emphasised by there being just three subsequent encounters (two Chiffchaffs and a Dunnock). The importance of this stretch of coastline for departing British breeders such as Blackcap and Chiffchaff is shown by their ongoing dominance of the ringing totals.There were 64 Chiffchaffs and 61 Blackcaps. Of note were six more new Blue Tits. The other new birds were singles of Goldfinch, Robin and, best of all a Magpie.
Saturday 3rd
Overnight conditions were similar to the previous night but there were less birds around, which is just as ell as it was a smaller team this morning.
Seventy eight birds were ringed.Thirty six were Chiffchaffs, 32 Blackcaps, plus singles of Blackbird, Firecrest, Goldcrest, Robin and Wren. Blue Tits continue to trickle through with another five new birds ringed today. Considering the number of Blue Tits caught and ringed in the UK we get relatively few caught elsewhere so it is worth keeping going with them, just to get a better picture.
Friday 2nd
A clear sky with little breeze over night saw warblers on the move in a big way. We ringed 304. One hundred and seventy were Chiffchaffs and 124 were Blackcaps. The other birds ringed were singles of Dunnock, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Lesser Whitethroat and Song Thrush plus three Robins. There was also one control Chiffchaff. When we get chance to check the fat scores the Blackcaps continue to show high levels of fat.
Thursday 1st
Not as busy as hoped for despite the weather calming down to give a clear, calm, start. Sixty six birds were ringed - 38 Blackcaps, 26 Chiffchaffs, a Blue Tit and a Chaffinch. A retrap Great Tit was one of our nestlings which had not been recorded since fledging.